FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEB Tallinn Marathon is Taking Place in One Month
In exactly one month, on 8th September, the largest public sports event in
Estonia, the SEB Tallinn Marathon will kick off. The running competition
that this year marks its 14th year welcomes both professional and
recreational athletes who can put themselves to the test at a marathon,
semi-marathon and a 10-kilometre running and walking distance (including
Nordic walking).
In 2012, a record number of 18,749 athletes from 37 countries took off at
the starting line of the SEB Tallinn Marathon distances. "Today, on 8th
August, more than 9,000 running enthusiasts and recreational athletes have
registered for this year's run, 1,669 of them for the marathon, which
promises to increase the attendance number to 20,000 people. Such a
significant number of participants would be the biggest in history of
public sports in Estonia," said Mati Lilliallik, the chief organiser of the
SEB Tallinn Marathon.
Last year, the double win of the SEB Tallinn Marathon went to Kenya. John
Kipkemoi Kirui ran the distance the fastest, his time being 2:15:21. This
year will also see several foreign competitors in addition to the top
Estonian athletes. As from 8th August, participants from 37 countries have
registered, but in total, 50 countries are expected to take part from the
run.
"Running enthusiasts have plenty of reasons to get together and celebrate
the running party, because in addition to a powerful feeling that the
autumn run gives, this year marks 100 years from the first marathon on the
territory of Estonia. The fact that marathons were being run here already
in 1913, and that today, one hundred years later, sports is still honoured
tells us that on top of being a singing nation, we are also a nation of
sports," said Lilliallik, satisfied with the sports habits of Estonians.
The SEB Tallinn Marathon programme dedicated to the 100th year of Estonian
marathons begins on 7th September, when the youngest running enthusiasts
square off at the Haribo children's run, taking place on the Freedom Square
(Vabaduse väljak). The running event continues with the opening ceremony of
the SEB Tallinn Marathon, introducing elite competitors and a concert, the
opening ceremony is concluded with fireworks.
The marathon distance of the SEB Tallinn Marathon kicks off on 8th
September at 9 a.m. Semi-marathon starts at 11:30 a.m., and 10 km distance
run and walk at 1:30 p.m. The starting line of the SEB Tallinn Marathon is
located near the Drama Theatre on Pärnu Street, the finish line and
competition centre are located on the Freedom Square.
Registration for the SEB Tallinn Marathon is open online until 31st August.
Registration is open from 4th September to the morning of the competition
day in the information and competition centre located in Kaarli parking
lot.
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